Page 25 of The One You Want

Maybe Poppy needed time to think about what Rose said and open up about what happened to her after Rose left. Perhaps Poppy needed to speak to a therapist, someone who could help her sort through her feelings and emotions and unravel the past so she could understand that none of it was her fault. She hadn’t done anything to deserve their father’s abusive treatment.

The walls felt like they were closing in on Rose. She took one last look at the room, decided that they all needed a change and she’d start with her room, and headed downstairs with a list of items in her head she wanted to buy.

She wanted to be the catalyst for her mom and Poppy to start really living their lives.

If nothing else, a bedroom refresh would allow her to feel more comfortable and rooted in who she was now and not feel like that scared little girl anymore when she came to visit. Because she intended to make a point of coming back and reconnecting with her mom and sister. It was time. She was strong enough now to face the past and know she’d survived it and moved on.

One day, Poppy would, too.

Rose would help her move forward. They’d been close once. They could be again.

They’d always be sisters, but Rose wanted them to be best friends again, too. She wanted Poppy to know she could count on Rose to be there for her no matter what.

She’d keep trying to break down the walls Poppy erected to keep people out, so she felt safe. Rose knew how lonely that could be.

She’d do whatever it took to heal the rift between them.

She wanted to see Poppy smile again.

She wanted them to share more memories and make new traditions together.

When she got married, she wanted Poppy and Maggie right beside her.

She wanted Poppy not only to find someone special but to know that she was worthy of love.

Rose thought of Gray and how he made her feel.

When she left for college, she’d been at her lowest, desperate for acceptance and any scrap of kindness. So needy that the first few relationships she attempted to have with guys ended in disaster because she’d clung to them. She’d tried too hard, and the guys’ initial interest quickly faded. They knew she was messed up.

Not anymore.

Gray saw a strong, independent, smart woman, and he wanted her.

Rose wanted Poppy to find her inner strength and independence as well.

Because knowing Gray desired her made her feel powerful and sexy, and when you felt that way, there was no room for doubt.

And the delicious anticipation of seeing him again could quickly become addictive.

“Where are you off to?” her mom asked.

Rose stepped into the living room and smiled. Her mom was on the couch sipping a cup of tea with a chocolate cookie on a napkin sitting on her thigh.

“Eating cookies so early in the day,” she pretended to scoff. “Really, Mother. You’ve gone too far.”

Her mom laughed at her dramatic tone.

If her father had seen her mom like this, he’d have berated her not only for being lazy but for eating sweets that were meant to be a dessert.

Treats were for any time of day. Period. End of story.

Anyone who didn’t agree, Rose didn’t want to know.

Her mother smiled and blushed and looked caught all at the same time. “Don’t tease.”

“Seriously, Mom, I’m just happy to see you breaking stupid rules that aren’t even really rules at all because you’re an adult. If you want to have ice cream for breakfast, hey, you’re the only boss of you now, so go for it.”

Her mom’s gaze drifted to her lap and her smile turned upside down.